Author's Note: Here's a chapter finally detailing the ONLY Brenda Hughes and Michael Jackson record! As a disclaimer, this idea is 100% fictional. Also, I've actually inserted the original song and it's called "You're Always On My Mind" by SWV and Brian Alexander Morgan. Enjoy!
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1987
BRENDA
"I can't believe we're finally doing this!" Michael beamed like a kid in the candy store.
I spent the entire morning mentally preparing myself at the penthouse. In one way or another, I'd felt like a bride prior to her wedding and agreed that Michael and I couldn't see each other prior to this day, at least a few days before. I'd needed time alone to hopefully digest what would take place in this very recording studio.
While cliché again, a man I'd admired for years had not only agree to collaborate, but turned out to be the love of my life. I could only pray that the song itself would this world understand our bond. We both stood across from each other in the booth and giggled or blush like children while putting on our headphones. Outside the glass, Quincy Jones, my main producer Craig, and Michael's engineer Bruce Swedien all took rightful spots at the mixing board.
I took a quick moment to speak with Michael before the music rang through our headphones.
"Ready?" I asked Michael as a grin crept onto my face.
"I've wanted to do this with you, babe." Michael's sweet voice slowly calmed my nerves at the moment.
Stop making me blush! my thoughts squealed like a little girl.
Within seconds, Bruce prepped just right and instruments began to ring in our ears. I flipped the lyrics sheets accordingly and a flashed shy smiles for my best every once a while. Once the beat slow really kicked in, he snapped his fingers gently just before we sang together.
[Verse 1]
[Brenda Hughes]
Boy, I can't seem to get you outta my head.
But there's something about you that makes me smile.
Don't change, I like the way you make me feel.
Can we take our time and do this for a while?
[Michael Jackson]
Girl, I never thought I'd find someone to love me.
Now, you're the only one I want in my life.
And the special touch you give comes from you only.
I guess that's why you're always on my mind.
[Chorus - Michael and Brenda]
You're always on my mind.
You're always on my mind.
You're always on my mind.
You're always on my mind...
I felt his arms around my waist as we listened to the playback later on. Even Quincy still nodded his head to the music. Over the bass, Michael whispered in my ear, making me feel proud of our accomplishment. In this room, there was such thing as disapproval, only magic.
__
"Hello, this is Entertainment Tonight. I'm Mary Hart. Superstar Michael Jackson's surprise collaboration with performer Brenda Hughes failed to crack the Billboard charts this week. Has Brenda's Soul Train thunderstorm sadly ruined Michael's career? Only time will tell..."
We both watched the news report with dropped jaws. I turned on my heels and just sat on our bed, lowering my eyes in shame. We should've never even thought about working together and I'd never risk it again. Michael looked at me with pained eyes for a moment just before sitting with me. His hand clutched my own seconds later.
"Ignorant bastards!" Michael cursed under his breath. "We had a hit and they don't even care."
"I told you this wouldn't work." I mumbled back in response. "Even if we're happy with the record, I told you something would happened. I'm never putting you through this again, Michael and you'll never change my mind."
Expected tears dripped down my face. I rolled my eyes as soon as he screamed into a pillow across from me. Not once did I even care. His face had turned completely red due to obvious frustration. I scoffed getting up from the bed while he shouted. I never flinched.
"Stop quitting!" Michael screamed outside the bedroom door I just closed.
"I'm not quitting. Stop shoving faith doing my throat. I'm not good enough to work with you and this proves it. You could lose your popularity over this, Michael. Don't be this stupid again! I'm leaving."
"What?!' he yelled louder than the first few times. "Where the hell are you going?"
"None of your damn business." I defended myself.
"Brenda!" he screamed.
"Shut up! You never listen to me." I roared back in the hallway.
___
A bouquet of violets, one box of chocolate and this envelope rested on my kitchen table when I finally came back to the penthouse. I knew Michael used his key and welcome himself in, ducking out before I came home. I shook my head over and over, exhausted.
I'd canceled work at the studio early that morning and chastised image consultants this time. My publicist Kelly and manager Reggie just weren't enough backup anymore. The had meeting finally ended with early evening hours to spare.
I'd switched on the answering machine and heard Michael's voice to no surprise. I never even bothered to open his gifts and lowered my head in shame once more. My eyes hardly remained open as I felt drained for obvious reasons.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you, girl. But it's all stupid. Call me back."
"Please call me back. What'd you figure out at the meeting?"
"Don't let our careers change how you feel about me. I love you."
I couldn't even handle speaking to him now with everything that raced on in my mind.
